As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2025, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, called for greater support for journalists navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence in an evolving media landscape.
Speaking on the occasion on Thursday, Fall paid tribute to media professionals in Nigeria, recognising their critical role in upholding democratic values.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the brave men and women who work in the media in Nigeria as journalists, reporters, producers, cameramen and women, and all other media workers.
“You are a very important sector of a democratic society, helping citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression and freedom of information,” he said in a statement issued by the UN office in Abuja.
This year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” focuses on the complex intersection between technology and journalism.
Fall noted that while AI is reshaping news reporting for the better, it also poses serious risks.
“AI is reshaping journalism. It can empower fact-based reporting or accelerate disinformation, deepen surveillance, and silence truth.
AI must not become a tool that erodes trust or endangers journalists who face disproportionate risks online and offline,” he warned.
He referred to global efforts led by the UN Secretary-General to promote the responsible use of AI through the Global Principles for Information Integrity and the Global Digital Compact, which aim to ensure transparency and accountability in digital platforms.
In Nigeria, the UN is working with civil society, government, and media organizations to strengthen media and information literacy, support ethical AI adoption, and protect freedom of expression.
Here in Nigeria, the United Nations works with media partners, civil society, and government to support public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.
“We promote media and information literacy, safe digital ecosystems, ethical AI use, as well as free, independent and pluralistic media,” Fall said.
He acknowledged that while AI can improve news production, it also has the potential to spread misinformation through technologies such as deepfakes.
“We depend on you, the journalists, as our line of defence against false news by reliance on ethical journalism, reporting truth and objectivity,” he stated.
